Jim Zellers at Donner Ski Ranch Lake Tahoe, ISM, Season Annual, Winter 1987 (Photo by Larry Prosor)
Now this is truly a classic issue of ISM. Their first 4-Color cover in 52 pages; there was no turning back. Check Out the following snowboarding stars of the eighties. You can look at the mag in flip-format here!
Shaun Palmer, ISM Cover, October, 1986 (Photo by Tom Hsieh, Jr)
Originally known as Absolutely Radical in March 1985, International Snowboard Magazine was the first seasonal snowboarding magazine and proclaimed the “last word” until 1991 when it discontinued publication.
Brainchild of Tom Hsieh, Jr. of San Francisco, the October 1986 issue can be seen in its entirety in flip-format. Thanks for checking it out!
Tom Burt and Damian Sanders at Mt. Rose Nevada before mainstream ski area acceptance, 1987
Tom Burt and Damian Sanders were two of the original founding fathers of snowboarding. While Damian’s freestyle flare and movie debuts drove mainstream acceptance and explosive growth, Tom (and Jim and Bonnie Zellars) fathered the backcountry movement in early media. Damian was FLF Films early poster boy and starred in their earliest snowboard movies which further fueled snowboarding’s popularity into the early nineties. Together, the four were sponsored by Chris and Bev Sanders/Avalanche Snowboards of South Lake Tahoe.
Damian Sanders at the first Squaw Valley Halfpipe (Lake Tahoe, 1989)
Tom Burt at the first Squaw Valley Halfpipe (Lake Tahoe, 1989)
Shaun “Minishred” Palmer, 1985 World Championships, Soda Springs, Lake Tahoe
Shaun Palmer was recently interviewed in Outside Magazine on his goals for the Winter Olympics in 2010. Shaun has it in him to do really well at his last attempt and this story has great insight at where he is now. At 40 years old he competes with “other kids” half his age and it seems like so long ago that he was minishred in the photo above (24 years). Snowboarders, skiers, and mountain bikers everywhere owe Shaun a huge deal of gratitude for what he has brought to those sports in both equipment development and compensation for its athletes. So I’d say they should all be rooting for him in 2010.
Shaun Palmer, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, 1989 Photo
Shaun Palmer was one of the first athletes I photographed and learned to respect. His drive, passion, and desire to win is matched by no one. Since this photo was taken at Lake Tahoe, Shaun has won nine gold medals at Winter X and championships in snowboarding, skiing, motocross, mountain biking and has even successfully competed in car racing and skateboarding. He was named the World’s Greatest Athlete by USA Today in 1998 and won the ESPN ESPY in action sports in 2001. In 1995, Shaun founded Palmer Snowboards (and Skis), who remain an innovative leader in snowsports to this day. Just turning 40 years old last November, Shaun still actively competes in several sports against other youth half his age.